By Lisa T. Bergren

Traveling with seniors? Over the years, we’ve enjoyed our trips with our parents, loving the shared experiences and memories. But as we all get older, it’s gotten a bit more complicated. Here are some tips I’ve compiled in regard to traveling with seniors:

1. Don’t over-schedule the trip
2. No activities on transit days other than arrival and settling in
3. Ask them what they’d like to do/see while on the trip and make sure you incorporate at least some of their desires into the itinerary
4. Run through the day by day itinerary with them, so they know what to expect; that said, let them know that as a traveling family with multiple members, there are bound to be some “hiccups” and it will be great if you all can remain flexible with the plan
5. Encourage them to purchase trip insurance—in case the worst happened, how much would it be to airlift them home to their own doctors and hospital? Or if they became ill before they went, could they get all that cash back? Senior citizen travel insurance (over age 65) is available through AAA and other sources. Help protect them by encouraging them to purchase it
6. Come up with an Emergency Agreement beforehand; here’s something I’d say: “I’m sure nothing bad will happen on our trip, but we need to agree on a game plan if it does. Because there are so many of us involved, and the investment we’re making, if one of us becomes ill, I’d like to…” Heart attacks, broken bones, even a stomach bug can interrupt family vacation plans. At least figure out your initial plan
7. Are your seniors physically incapacitated in any way? Difficult time with stairs? Find out about elevators in your hotel, at the very least. Not all hotels around the world adhere to USA accessibility standards (some are better—some are far worse!)
8. If it’s been a while since they’ve traveled, make sure they know about current restrictions and charges for checked baggage and liquids in carry-ons.
9. Discuss packing and luggage expectations. If your family is a one-midsize-suitcase-each kind of family, and they’re lugging along two behemoths each (with no wheels), it’ll tax you all (and make transportation packing tough). Getting 6 people plus 6-8 bags in a rental minivan can be downright impossible. Encourage them to pack light. Come up with a game plan for a mid-week laundry run if necessary, or help them find clothes they can wash out in the sink. Better yet, rent a condo with laundry facilities
10. Linger over dinner; long conversations after a fine meal are some of our happiest family trip memories (bring something to occupy little kids, if necessary; encourage older kids to take part in the conversation). Bring discussion starter cards or a list of questions you and your kids want to ask about family history
11. Help parents who might have never used a digital camera before get into the groove; beforehand, help them get comfortable with it; bring backup storage so no pics are lost mid-trip; afterward, help them choose the best photos and get them into a photo book (a fine birthday or Christmas present, by the way)
12. Remind them to call their credit card companies and alert them to the days they’ll be traveling and where; credit card companies will freeze accounts if they haven’t been warned
13. Medications should all be in their original containers and should be carried on the plane with them in case luggage is lost. A copy of all prescriptions is a good thing to have with your paperwork if you want to be ultra-prepared (usually available as a print-out from the pharmacy)
14. Take a copy of their passports, along with your own, and leave with a trusted friend back at home that you know you’ll be able to reach, in case anyone loses it
15. Don’t be in such a rush! Grandparents—and kids, for that matter—will enjoy a slower pace through city streets or on a walk through the country or along the beach. Embrace the pace and see new things yourself

What else? Have you discovered helpful tips in traveling with an older generation? Share them below in the comments!